Laura's Photo Blog

Happy Christmas all. My Total Hysterectomy is scheduled for Feb 5, 2026. I am grateful that it is all working out. I have come to terms with this since August 2024. Not being tired, feeling heavy when sitting or standing will be nice. The medication I am on does not allow me to do my sessions and has caused more joint pain than expected and I walk with a cane on my bad days. I will see how my recovery goes in 2026. Before jumping in again. I apologize that I am unable to take photos for anyone. But grateful for the chance to capture the moments.

July Update: sometimes life throws a curve ball. In January I had decided to do a career change and accepted a new role. 2 weeks later I was told I had my surgery date for the end of April. I had to postpone it because with the economy being flex I could not risk losing my job or taking 2 months off after working only 2 months. The treatment I am now is working and the longer I can be on the treatment the better for the surgery. I have been on my doctor's wait list since December and since he is young and a specialist in the field I am willing to wait. Surgery is tentatively for end of the year or early next year. But with gravity as my enemy, standing for long periods take my energy out and swell my ankles. I am afraid I may have to retire from photography until 2027 pending how my surgery goes. Crazy. My body is slowing me down. My mind is still here ready.

Happy New Year Everyone!

Hi Everyone,
Unfortunate Update.
I may have to hang my camera up until 2027 or 2028. I tested doing mini sessions in December and standing/squatting for a few hours wipes me out. Having these large fibroids is like being 6 months pregnant or having 2 small yellow mangos internally makes gravity my enemy. I need to focus on my health first.

After seeing my second surgeon for a consultation, it looks like I may not get into surgery until next year, this was not what I was expecting to hear. He is a specialist in laparoscopic surgeries for special hysterectomy cases. He has scheduled another ultrasound in March to see how the hormonal treatments are working and we will go from there. If the hormonal treatments are reducing the size of the Fibroids then I can be waitlisted for surgery after April or I continue my treatment until they are reduced enough to not increase my surgery time.

The size and location of the fibroids will make it harder to reach and the risk to other structures is greater during the surgery. Since the surgery will have me on a slight incline where my body will be tilted down towards my head, the pressure from my organs, fluids and air they use may impact my heart. Since I was diagnosed with heart failure my surgery can be more difficult. Who knew. All I can do is continue my weight loss and stay on my heart medication to ensure my heart is ready for the surgery. He had mentioned other treatments but the chances of the fibroids staying or growing if it does not respond to treatment is not ideal considering the pain I had to put me in the hospital and the pressure pain I have now.

I need to focus on health first. I would like to thank everyone who has chosen me to capture their family photos over the years. It has been a privilege to be there for you. If I was able to give moments with your family and loved ones then I have succeeded. I wish everyone a great 2025 and hope you remember to take care of yourself and pause to enjoy the little things.